Ann Howell Bullard

I am obsessed with these bags from Ann Howell Bullard. Her newest collection, Dead Flowers, is simply stunning. Ann Howell's hand painted leather bags are truly a work of art - artfully inspired and each one uniquely made. I love how the colors and pattern play make each bag such a statement piece and what I am calling the "it bag" of the season!

We talked with Ann Howell to learn more about what inspired her bags and her faves from her newest collection.

Noteworthy: What inspired your hand painted bags?

Ann Howell: My newest collection, Dead Flowers, is inspired by pop art, milagros, broken heart tattoos, Ophelia from Hamlet, and Mick Jagger's silk upholstered chair. For this particular collection, I was really interested in exploring beauty as it becomes tangled up in sadness... when things are too perfect or pristine it bothers me, and the objects and stories I find most beautiful are ones that show little bits of decay. I've always had a flair for the dramatic, and with Dead Flowers I've really gotten to play with that.

Noteworthy: Do you have any favorites from the collection?

Ann Howell: The Milagros Clutch and the Black Keys Circle are probably my two favorites from this collection.

Noteworthy: One word that best describes you as a designer.

Ann Howell: Painterly

Noteworthy: Who are your style icons?

Ann Howell: Currently - Bianca Jagger, Jane Birkin, and Carmen Hamilton from Chronicles of Her

Noteworthy: Where can we find/buy your bags?

Ann Howell: You can find my entire collection at annhowellbullard.com and this Wednesday, April 19 I will be in Charlotte at McKenzie Claire in Dilworth from 10am - 5pm!